Glass-wire core composite fiber and articles made therefrom

ABSTRACT

A composite cut-resistant yarn is provided that has no high-performance fibers present and has wire only in the core, yet is comparable in cut-resistance characteristics, the yarn containing a core of at least one fiberglass strand and at least one wire strand, either parallel or twisted about one another, and at least one cover strand made from non-metallic non-high performance fiber, along with fabric made therefrom, and protective articles and garments made from the fabric.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates generally to yarns, fabrics and protectivegarments knitted of such yarns. More particularly, the present inventionrelates to a cut-resistant composite yarn construction which provideseffective cut resistance for a protective garment without the use ofexpensive high performance fibers.

2. Discussion of the Background

In many industries, it is desirable to provide protective garments,particularly gloves, to protect employees from being cut. Ideally, suchgarments should provide an acceptable amount of cut resistance whilepossessing suitable flexibility and durability. To this point knitgarments having these qualities have been constructed from yarns thatinclude “high performance” fibers to achieve enhanced cut resistantperformance. These yarns are constructed using wrapping techniquewherein in a core comprising of a single or multiple strands is wrappedwith one or more additional strands. Either the core or the wrap strandsmay include strands comprised of a high performance fiber. Typical ofthese include the cut resistant yarn disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,777,789; 4,838,017 and 5,119,512. These patents disclose the use ofwell-known “high performance” fibers which, as used herein, means fiberssuch as extended chain polyethylene (Spectra®. brand fiber by Allied) oraramid (Kevlar® brand fiber by DuPont).

The use of these high performance fibers to make cut-resistant compositeyarns and garments has not come without certain disadvantages. First,articles made from these high performance fibers may be stiff and,particularly in the case of protective gloves, may cause the wearer tolose a certain amount of tactile sense and feedback. This loss ofsensitivity can be important for workers in the meat processingindustry.

Another potential drawback to the use of high performance fibers istheir cost. For example, the unit length cost for high performance fibereasily may be several times that of the next most expensive component ofa composite, cut-resistant yarn. It would be very desirable tosubstantially reduce or eliminate the high performance fiber content ofa cut-resistant composite yarn.

One solution to these issues has been proposed in U.S. Pat. No.6,363,703 to Kolmes. In that patent, the composite yarn has a core of atleast one fiberglass strand, and requires at least one wire strandwrapped around the fiberglass core strand, followed by one or more coverstrands wrapped around the wire and fiberglass, with the cover strandsbeing made from non-metallic non-high performance materials.

There remains a need for a cut-resistant yarn construction offering aneffective level of cut resistance performance at a cost savings comparedto composite yarns that include high performance fibers, without theneed for wrapped wire constructions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to provide acomposite yarn containing no high performance fibers that has thecut-resistance of composites containing high-performance fibers, whilemaintaining good feel and flexibility, without a wrapped wire component.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a protectivegarment, including but not limited to, gloves, aprons, arm shields,jackets and sporting equipment such as fencing uniforms, made from thecomposite yarn of the present invention.

These and other objects of the invention have been satisfied by thediscovery of a composite yarn comprising:

-   -   a. a core comprising at least one fiberglass strand and at least        one wire strand of diameter sufficient to provide cut        resistance, wherein the at least one fiberglass strand and the        at least one wire strand are parallel to one another or twisted        about one another and wherein only the core of the yarn contains        metal; and    -   b. at least one non-metallic non-high performance fiber cover        strand wrapped around the core in a first direction;

and its use in preparing a cut and abrasion resistant fabric, andarticles and garments prepared from the fabric.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The term “fiber” as used herein refers to a fundamental component usedin the assembly of yarns and fabrics. Generally, a fiber is a componentwhich has a length dimension which is much greater than its diameter orwidth. This term includes ribbon, strip, staple, and other forms ofchopped, cut or discontinuous fiber and the like having a regular orirregular cross section. “Fiber” also includes a plurality of any one ofthe above or a combination of the above.

As used herein, the term “high performance fiber” means that class ofsynthetic or natural non-glass fibers having high values of tenacitygreater than 10 g/denier, such that they lend themselves forapplications where high abrasion and/or cut resistance is important.Typically, high performance fibers have a very high degree of molecularorientation and crystallinity in the final fiber structure.

The term “filament” as used herein refers to a fiber of indefinite orextreme length such as found naturally in silk. This term also refers tomanufactured fibers produced by, among other things, extrusionprocesses. Individual filaments making up a fiber may have any one of avariety of cross sections to include round, serrated or crenular,bean-shaped or others.

The term “yarn” as used herein refers to a continuous strand of textilefibers, filaments or material in a form suitable for knitting, weaving,or otherwise intertwining to form a textile fabric. Yarn can occur in avariety of forms to include a spun yarn consisting of staple fibersusually bound together by twist; a multi filament yarn consisting ofmany continuous filaments or strands; or a mono filament yarn whichconsist of a single strand.

The term “air interlacing” as used herein refers to subjecting multiplestrands of yarn to an air jet to combine the strands and thus form asingle, intermittently commingled strand. This treatment is sometimesreferred to as “air tacking.” This term is not used to refer to theprocess of “intermingling” or “entangling” which is understood in theart to refer to a method of air compacting a multifilament yarn tofacilitate its further processing, particularly in weaving processes. Ayarn strand that has been intermingled typically is not combined withanother yarn. Rather, the individual multifilament strands are entangledwith each other within the confines of the single strand. This aircompacting is used as a substitute for yarn sizing and as a means toprovide improved pick resistance. This term also does not refer to wellknown air texturizing performed to increase the bulk of single yarn ormultiple yarn strands. Methods of air interlacing in composite yarns andsuitable apparatus therefore are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,349,531;6,341,483; and 6,212,914, the relevant portions of which are herebyincorporated by reference.

The present invention is directed to the concept of a cut-resistantcomposite yarn having cut-resistant properties comparable to yarns withhigh performance fiber, yet which have no expensive high performancefibers therein, and which contains no wrapped wire layers. In generalyarns are formed of a core containing at least one strand of fiberglass,and at least one strand of wire, with one or more covers of conventionalnon-high performance yarn. Any one, two, or all of the core, and covermay include two strands. FIGS. 1-3 are exemplary of the variousembodiments. Previously it was believed necessary to use a wrapped layerof wire, in order to avoid injury to the wire from stretching or fromthe impingement of an edge (such as a blade) against the wire. Thisinjury to the wire typically manifests itself in the formation of bendsor crimps, from the stretching and subsequent relaxing of the wire.

The present inventor has found, however, that it is possible to providea yarn construction using adjacent fiberglass and wire strands in thecore, without the need to wrap a strand of wire around the core, whileavoiding the above noted injury to the wire. Within the context of thepresent invention, the term “adjacent strands” indicates that thestrands are side-by-side, including both parallel arrangement and beingtwisted about each other. However, in the present invention, theconstruction contains no wrapped wire layer. While not wishing to beheld to any particular theory of operation, it is believed that thepresence of the parallel strand of fiberglass provides a cushioningeffect for the yarn, particularly the wire, which avoids production ofthe above mentioned bend or crimp. Further, since the fiberglass itselfdoes not stretch, it is believed to serve as an “anchor” for the core ofthe yarn, thus avoiding high stretching forces from acting on the wire.

Turning to FIG. 1, there is illustrated one embodiment of a compositecut resistant yarn 10 which includes a core 12 formed of a singlefiberglass strand 16 and a single strand of wire 18 (these strands arenot shown to scale and can be a variety of sizes as noted below). Thisembodiment of the present invention cut resistant yarn 10 furtherincludes a cover 14 having two cover layers formed from non-metallic,non-high performance fiber, 22 and 24. The first cover 22 is wrappedaround the core 12, with the second cover 24 being wrapped around,preferably in the opposite wrapping direction from, the first cover 22.

In a second embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 2, the composite cutresistant yarn 10 includes a core 12 formed of a single fiberglassstrand 16 and a single strand of wire 18 (again not to scale). Thisembodiment further includes a single cover 22 formed from anon-metallic, non-high performance fiber.

In an alternative embodiment, the core may include one or moreadditional strands. These one or more additional strands may be made ofany non-high performance material, including but not limited to,fiberglass, wire, and conventional non-high performance fibers. Theseadditional one or more strands may be arranged in the core eitherparallel or co-twisted with either or both of the fiberglass and wirecore strands. Alternatively, if two or more additional core strands arepresent and are made from materials that are suitable forair-interlacing, these additional core strands may be air interlaced.One embodiment containing an additional parallel strand in the core isshown in FIG. 3, which illustrates a core 12, formed from a strand offiberglass 16, a strand of wire 18 and an additional core strand ofnon-high performance fiber 19, with the cover 14 containing two coverlayers 22 and 24 as described above.

In a further embodiment, the core contains a single strand of fiberglassparallel to a single strand of wire, wherein the single strand of wireis wrapped with a sheath strand of a non-high performance fiber. Thiscore is then wrapped with one or more cover layers of non-highperformance fiber to provide the composite yarn.

In yet another embodiment, the composite yarn of the present inventioncan contain more than two cover layers, so long as no high performancefiber is used. This embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 4, which shows acore 12 formed of a single fiberglass strand 16 and a single strand ofwire 18 (not to scale). The cover 14 contains three cover layers, 22, 24and 26, each formed of a non-high performance fiber, and each successivecover layer being preferably wrapped in a direction opposite from theimmediately underlying layer.

The wire used in the practice of the present invention desirably has adiameter of from about 0.0013 and about 0.0036 inch, preferably fromabout 0.0016 to about 0.0020 inch. Where two wires are used, they shouldpreferably be of a diameter at the lower end of the range, e.g. about0.0013 to about 0.0020. The wire strands of the present invention can bemade from any metal conventionally used in yarns, and preferably areformed from an annealed stainless steel with the particular diameter ofwire selected from the ranges specified above based on the desiredproperties and end use of the composite yarn.

The first cover strand and, if used, the second cover strand arecomprised of a non-metallic, non-high performance fiber. The strands maybe provided in either spun or filament form within a denier range ofabout 50 to about 1200. Suitable materials for the cover strandsinclude, but are not limited to, polyester, polyester/cotton blends,acrylic, various types of nylon, wool and cotton. The choice of aparticular material for the cover strand or strands will vary dependingon the end use of the composite yarn and the physical characteristics(appearance, feel, etc.) desired for the yarn. The non-metallic,non-high performance fiber cover strands are wrapped about the core, orcore covered with one or more cover layers, at a rate sufficient toenable processing of the composite yarn in conventional knitting andweaving equipment. Each successive cover strand is wrapped in adirection that is either the same as or opposite to the immediatelypreceding cover strand, preferably in the direction opposite that of theimmediately preceding cover strand. While it is not necessary for thecover to be wrapped such that the underlying portion of the composite iscompletely covered, it is preferable to do so. More preferably, thecover strands are each, independently, wrapped at a rate of from about 6to about 13 turns per inch.

The fiberglass strand (or strands) in the core may be either E-glass orS-glass of either continuous multi-filament, monofilament or spun, andcan be of any desired size or denier. The practice of the presentinvention contemplates using several different sizes of commonlyavailable fiberglass strand, as illustrated in Table 1 below: TABLE 1Fiberglass Approximate Nominal Size Denier Denier G-450 99.21 100 D-225198.0 200 G-150 297.6 300 G-75 595.27 600 G-50 892.90 900 G-37 1206.621200The size designations in the Table are well known in the art to specifyfiberglass strands.

These fiberglass strands may be used singly or in combination dependingon the particular application for the finished article. By way ofnon-limiting example, if a total denier of about 200 is desired for thefiberglass component of the core, either a single D-225 or twosubstantially parallel G-450 strands may be used. In a preferredembodiment either a single strand or a combination of strands will havea denier of about between 200 and about 1200.

It should be understood that the table above illustrates currentlyavailable fiberglass strand sizes. The practice of the present inventioncontemplates the use of other fiberglass strand sizes as they becomeavailable in the market or as found to be suitable for particularapplications.

Suitable preferred types of fiberglass fiber are manufactured by Comingand by PPG. The fibers have the desirable properties of relatively hightenacity, of about 12 to about 20 grams per denier, resistance to mostacids and alkalis, being unaffected by bleaches and solvents, resistanceto environmental conditions such as mildew and sunlight, and highresistance to abrasion and to aging.

Preferably the overall denier of the yarn of the present invention toinclude the fiberglass strand(s), the wire strand(s), and the covers isbetween about 300 denier and about 5000 denier. Further the combinedmill weight of the fiberglass and wire components should be between 25%and 60% of the composite yarn.

The composite yarn of the present invention can be used as is, or can besubjected to various treatments to provide antistatic, antimicrobial,selective radiation absorbing (UV, IR, etc), dyeing or other desiredproperties. Preferably, such treatment(s) include impartingantimicrobial properties using a commercially available antimicrobialagent, such as those described, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,260,344; 6,266,951; and 6,351,932. These treatments can be usedindividually or in combinations of two or more. Such treatments are wellknown in the art and can be applied to the finished yarn, any portion ofthe yarn or the individual components of the yarn or portions thereofprior to assembly of the finished yarn, using conventional yarntreatment equipment.

EXAMPLES

By way of non-limiting example, yarn constructions demonstrating variousembodiments of the present invention are illustrated as Examples 1-5 inTable 2 below. Examples 6-9 are included for comparative tests and willbe explained hereinafter. The nomenclature “_X” refers to the number ofstrands of a particular composite yarn component used. In each instance,the 1^(st) and 2^(nd) cover layers are wrapped in opposing first andsecond directions (in case of a 3^(rd) cover layer, it is wrapped in thesame direction as the first layer, and opposite to the 2^(nd) layer).TABLE 2 Core Wire 1^(st) 2^(nd) 3^(rd) Composite Ex. Glass Diam (in)Cover Cover Cover Denier 1 G-450 2 × 0.0016 Polyester Polyester 623parallel 150 Denier 150 Denier 9.4 tpi 8.2 tpi 2 G-450 0.0016 PolyesterPolyester 546 parallel 150 Denier 150 Denier 11.1 tpi  8.8 tpi 3 G-370.0016 Polyester Polyester Polyester 3635 parallel 500 Denier 500 Denier1000 Denier 8.3 tpi 11.6 tpi  7.4 tpi 4 G-225 2 × 0.0016 PolyesterPolyester 715 parallel 150 denier 150 denier 9.4 tpi 8.4 tpi 5 G-4500.0016 Polyester Polyester 712 parallel 150 Denier 150 Denier wire onlywrapped textured textured with Z twist, 150 no twist no twist deniertextured 7.2 tpi 7.3 tpi polyester at 6.6 tpi 6 none 0.0016 PolyesterPolyester 685 wire parallel 150 Denier 150 Denier with 220 deniertextured textured polyester 7.0 tpi 6.8 tpi 7 G-450 none Wire PolyesterPolyester 531 0.0016 in 150 Denier  150 Denier 5.1 tpi 4.1 tpi 8 G-500.0020 Polyester Polyester Polyester 3381 wire wrapped 500 Denier 500Denier 1000 Denier around glass at 9.1 tpi 8.5 tpi 9.9 tpi 7.5 tpi 9G-37 none Polyester Polyester 3995 glass parallel with 500 1000 Denier 1000 Denier  Denier Polyester 7.1 tpi 6.9 tpi 10 G-150 none Spectra ®Polyester Polyester 200 Denier  70 Denier  70 Denier 11 G-75 noneSpectra ® Spectra ® Polyester 650 Denier 650 Denier 1000 Denier 12 G-37none Spectra ® Spectra ® Polyester 650 Denier 650 Denier 1000 Denier

The Examples using a smaller denier core and cover would be knit using a10 gauge or similar knitting machine. The Examples using larger deniercore and cover would be knit using a 7 gauge or similarly sized knittingmachine.

The yarn of the present invention may be manufactured on standardyarn-making equipment. If the yarn will be provided with three coverlayers, preferably the fiberglass and wire core is wrapped with thefirst cover strand in a first step. Next, the second and, if used, thirdcover strands are added in a second operation on a separate machine.However, other procedures may be used as will be readily apparent to oneof ordinary skill.

The yarn of the present invention has several advantages over thenon-metallic cut resistant yarns described herein above. The fiberglassand wire core strands and the cover strand(s) mutually benefit eachother. The fiberglass component acts as a support for the cut/abrasionresistant wire strand. Properties of the resulting yarn may be varied byvarying the diameter and the rate of wrap (turns per inch) of the coverstrand(s) about the fiberglass and wire core.

The cut resistance performance of the yarn of the present invention isshown in Table 3 below which compares the performance of the yarnconstructed according to the present invention (without a highperformance fiber) to a similar structure that includes a highperformance fiber. Testing was conducted using ASTM test procedure F1790-97. For this ASTM test the reference force is the mass required forthe cutting edge of the test apparatus to travel one inch and initiate“cut through” in the material being tested. Cut resistance datacollected using the ASTM test described above are summarized in Table 3below. Each of examples 10-12 is a commercially available cut resistantcomposite yarn that includes a Spectra® fiber/fiberglass combination.The Spectra® fiber core strand is wrapped around the fiberglass corestrand in Examples 10 and 11. The Spectra®. fiber core strand isparallel to the fiberglass core strand in Example 12. TABLE 3 CutThrough Force Composite Denier Example (in grams) (where known) 1 2164623 2 2006 546 3 2788 3635 4 2560 715 5 1317 712  6* 1855 685  7* 2293531  8* 3139 3381  9* 2928 3995 10* 2017 11* 3251 12* 3386*indicates comparative example

For comparable composite deniers, the yarn of the present inventionprovides a comparable cut resistance performance of a high performancefiber yarn at a significant cost savings because of the elimination ofthe high performance fiber, and comparable cut resistance compared tocomposite yarns having wrapped wire layers, without the need forwrapping wire. In some instances the present invention providessignificantly improved cut resistance compared to the otherconstructions at similar composite denier.

Examples 10-12 show steadily improving cut-resistance performanceresults as the amount of high performance fiber and the size of thefiberglass core strand are increased. Surprisingly, the yarn of thepresent invention compares favorably with each of the examples thatinclude a high performance fiber (given comparable composite denier andfiberglass size). The test results show that the comparatively low-costwire/fiberglass combination provides a cut-resistance performance thatis comparable to yarns containing a high performance fiber.

The composite yarn of the present invention can be used to prepare cutand abrasion resistant fabrics, which in turn can be used to prepareprotective articles and garments. Turning to FIG. 5, a cut and abrasionresistant glove 40 according to the present invention is illustrated.The glove incorporates finger stalls 42 for each of the wearer'sfingers. The cut-resistant yarn may be incorporated into a variety ofother types of cut resistant garments and articles, including, but notlimited to, arm shields, aprons or jackets, as well as sporting wear forsports such as fencing.

Although the present invention has been described with preferredembodiments and examples of those embodiments, it is to be understoodthat modifications and variations may be utilized without departing fromthe spirit and scope of this invention, as those skilled in the artwould readily understand. Such modifications and variations areconsidered to be within the purview and scope of the appended claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A composite cut-resistant yarn comprising: a. a core comprising atleast one fiberglass strand and at least one wire strand of diametersufficient to provide cut resistance, wherein said at least onefiberglass strand and said at least one wire strand are parallel to oneanother or twisted about one another and wherein only the core of theyarn contains metal; and b. at least one non-metallic non-highperformance fiber cover strand wrapped around said core in a firstdirection.
 2. The composite cut-resistant yarn of claim 1, wherein saidat least one wire strand has a diameter between about 0.0013 inch and0.0036 inch
 3. The composite cut-resistant yarn of claim 1, wherein saidat least one fiberglass strand has a denier of from about 50 to about1200.
 4. The composite cut-resistant yarn of claim 1, further comprisinga second non-metallic, non-high performance fiber cover strand wrappedaround said at least one non-metallic non-high performance fiber coverstrand in a second direction opposite that of said at least onenon-metallic non-high performance fiber cover strand direction.
 5. Thecomposite cut-resistant yarn of claim 1, wherein said firstnon-metallic, non high performance fiber cover strand is a materialselected from the group consisting of polyester, polyester/cottonblends, nylon, acrylic, wool, and cotton.
 6. The composite cut-resistantyarn of claim 4, wherein said second non-metallic, non high performancefiber cover strand is a material selected from the group consisting ofpolyester, polyester/cotton blends, nylon, acrylic, wool, and cotton. 7.The composite cut-resistant yarn of claim 1, wherein said core furthercomprises a second fiberglass strand, parallel or twisted with one orboth of said at least one fiberglass strand or said at least one wirestrand.
 8. The composite cut-resistant yarn of claim 1, wherein saidcore further comprises a second wire strand, parallel or twisted withone or both of said at least one fiberglass strand or said at least onewire strand.
 9. The composite cut-resistant yarn of claim 1, whereinsaid at least one non-metallic non-high performance fiber cover strandis wrapped around said core at a rate of from about 6 to about 13 turnsper inch.
 10. The composite cut-resistant yarn of claim 1, wherein saidat least one non-metallic non-high performance fiber cover strand has adenier of from about 50 to about
 1200. 11. The composite cut-resistantyarn of claim 1, wherein said at least one wire strand is wrapped with asheath of a non-metallic non-high performance fiber strand.
 12. Thecomposite cut-resistant yarn of claim 4, further comprising a thirdnon-metallic non-high performance fiber cover strand wrapped around thecombination of said core and said first and second non-metallic non-highperformance fiber cover strands, in a third direction opposite to thesecond direction.
 13. The composite cut-resistant yarn of claim 1,wherein the yarn or any portion thereof has been subjected to at leastone treatment selected from the group consisting of antistatictreatments, antimicrobial treatments, treatments to provide radiationabsorption, dyeing and combinations thereof.
 14. A cut and abrasionresistant fabric formed primarily of a composite cut-resistant yarncomprising: a. a core comprising at least one fiberglass strand and atleast one wire strand of diameter sufficient to provide cut resistance,wherein said at least one fiberglass strand and said at least one wirestrand are parallel to one another or twisted about one another andwherein only the core of the yarn contains metal; and b. at least onenon-metallic non-high performance fiber cover strand wrapped around saidcore in a first direction.
 15. The cut and abrasion resistant fabric ofclaim 14, wherein said at least one wire strand has a diameter betweenabout 0.0013 inch and 0.0036 inch
 16. The cut and abrasion resistantfabric of claim 14, wherein said at least one fiberglass strand has adenier of from about 50 to about
 1200. 17. The cut and abrasionresistant fabric of claim 14, further comprising a second non-metallic,non-high performance fiber cover strand wrapped around said at least onenon-metallic non-high performance fiber cover strand in a seconddirection opposite that of said at least one non-metallic non-highperformance fiber cover strand direction.
 18. The cut and abrasionresistant fabric of claim 14, wherein said first non-metallic, non highperformance fiber cover strand is a material selected from the groupconsisting of polyester, polyester/cotton blends, nylon, acrylic, wool,and cotton.
 19. The cut and abrasion resistant fabric of claim 17,wherein said second non-metallic, non high performance fiber coverstrand is a material selected from the group consisting of polyester,polyester/cotton blends, nylon, acrylic, wool, and cotton.
 20. The cutand abrasion resistant fabric of claim 14, wherein said core furthercomprises a second fiberglass strand, parallel or twisted with one orboth of said at least one fiberglass strand or said at least one wirestrand.
 21. The cut and abrasion resistant fabric of claim 14, whereinsaid core further comprises a second wire strand, parallel or twistedwith one or both of said at least one fiberglass strand or said at leastone wire strand.
 22. The cut and abrasion resistant fabric of claim 14,wherein said at least one non-metallic non-high performance fiber coverstrand is wrapped around said core at a rate of from about 6 to about 13turns per inch.
 23. The cut and abrasion resistant fabric of claim 14,wherein said at least one non-metallic non-high performance fiber coverstrand has a denier of from about 50 to about
 1200. 24. The cut andabrasion resistant fabric of claim 14, wherein said at least one wirestrand is wrapped with a sheath of a non-metallic non-high performancefiber strand.
 25. The cut and abrasion resistant fabric of claim 17,further comprising a third non-metallic non-high performance fiber coverstrand wrapped around the combination of said core and said first andsecond non-metallic non-high performance fiber cover strands, in a thirddirection opposite to the second direction.
 26. The cut and abrasionresistant fabric of claim 14, wherein said fabric is in the form of amember selected from the group consisting of aprons, gloves, armshields, jackets and fencing uniforms.
 27. The cut and abrasionresistant fabric of claim 26, wherein said fabric is in the form of aglove.
 28. The cut and abrasion resistant fabric of claim 14, whereinthe yarn or any portion thereof has been subjected to at least onetreatment selected from the group consisting of antistatic treatments,antimicrobial treatments, treatments to provide radiation absorption,dyeing and combinations thereof.